Today we working on our writing skills through tactile activities. When I was tutoring privately, I went to a lecture on dyslexia and the brain. There were a number of tips I learned (I’ll add a few more at the end of the post), and I remember having kids use tactile activities to learn to write was a big one.
Materials Needed:
* Poster Paint
* Gallon Ziploc
* Q-Tips (optional)
All you do is pour some paint into a Ziploc bag, seal it up (you can tape it shut if you are nervous), and then use your finger or a Q-Tip to practice drawing or writing letters.
The next activity was “Rice Writing.”
Materials Needed:
* Jelly Roll Pan
* Shallow Pan
* Rice
Simply put some rice in a shallow pan and write away. I use the jelly roll pan underneath just in case there is spilling.
Here’s a few other tips that helps when you are teaching children with dyslexia:
1. There is an underdeveloped connection between the left and the right sides of the brain. Trying to help them become more ambidextrous is a good thing. Have them work on learning to catch a ball with their non-dominant hand. Work with them on writing with their opposite hand. Of course, let them use the hand they favor, but try to train the other side as well.
2. Do things that are active. If you are teaching them to spell have them bounce up and down or catch a ball or move something from their left to right hand as they spell out a word.
3. To develop the left and right connection, have them move their arms and legs across the body. I would have my students spell while punching their left arm to the right side of their body and visa versa.
I am loving your blog and tips each day! We too don’t count with our boys and expect obedience right away too. Thanks for sharing!
Trina
http://teachingmyblessings.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Trina. I’m enjoying your site as well. This one actually got mislabeled. With a power outage, I was working from my phone. The tactile writing post is up now, and from what I can see on your blog, I think your boys would enjoy it.
Hi Jodi! Yes, my boys would love this activity. We have used salt and cool whip lately for tactile writing exercises. And I’ve mean meaning to use paint in a bag! We will do this for sure too. Great dyslexia tips too, I too was always intrigued and fascinated by new tips during my teaching days. 🙂
What great ways to practice letters! I need to do more of these with my preschooler! Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a GREAT week,
Beth =-)
What great ideas!! Thank you for sharing them at Sharing Saturday!
What a fun idea to use the Q-Tips to write on the paint bag. It’s nice that it simulates a pencil. Stopping by from Fun Stuff Fridays.
Aimee @teachlovegrow.blogspot.com